$26 Million Stradivarius Cello Broken

Instrument fell off table a few weeks ago, source says

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The cello in question will be fixed, but no estimate at the cost of the repair was available.

A Stradivarius cello at the Spanish Royal Palace was broken after an accident, The Associated Press reported on Monday. A spokesperson speaking under anonymity told the El Mundo Newspaper that the instrument fell off a table three weeks ago.

Reportedly part of a set of instruments called "The Quartet," the cello broke at a piece that joins the neck and the body of the instrument. The piece in question was also a replacement, but was installed in the 19th century.

An unidentified source also told El Mundo that the instrument could be worth up to $26 million at auction.

An official told The AP the cello can and will be fixed.

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Published at 12:57 PM PDT on May 8, 2012 | Updated at 1:06 PM PDT on May 8, 2012